Switch-stand



C. W. BREED.

SWITCH STAND. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1 1920.

Patented May 31,1921.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 7, 1920. Serial No. 387,104. I

v T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES W. BREED, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVes'tern Springs, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switch- Stands, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to railway switch stands and has for its principal object the provision of a switch stand embodying certain improved features of construction which render the device thoroughly reliable in operation and very serviceable.

The foregoing and other objects and ad vantages of my improved switch stand'will appear from the following detailed description, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical crosssection of a conventional type switch stand embodying the improvements of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional detail taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional detail taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

The same reference numerals designate the same parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 5 designates the base member of the switch stand which comprises a preferably integral bottom plate 6 which is generally provided with holes to receive spikes to secure the stand in position. Provided at 7 and 8 in the base member 5 are bearings in which is mounted a vertical mast 9 to the upper end of which are secured the day signal color targets 10 and 10. The lower end of the mast 9 is provided with a crank 11, the free end of which carries a crank pin 12. Pivotally connected to the crank 11 by the pin 12 is a connecting rod 13 which has connection with a switch in the usual manner. I A bracket 11 secured to bracket 14, extends over the bifurcated portion and has a slot 17 formed in'its face. An operating lever 18 has a free end eX tending into the housing 17 and is pivoted to the bracket 14 by a rivet 19 which ex-- tends through the bearing bosses 1616.

A suitable eye bolt 20 secured in the free end'of the lever 18 extends through the slot 17f in the housing 17 and'is adapted to receive a look 2O" to prevent unauthorized operation of the switch. Suitable notches, one of which is indicated at 21 in Fig. 1, are provided in the edge of the flange 5 to receive the lever 18, whereby the same may be locked into either of its two operative positions. I

Formed integral with the base member 5 are comparatively heavy lugs 2222 which project laterally from the front of the base member in spaced relation, as seen in Figs.

1 and 2. The lugs are arranged to shieldthe end of the crank 11 and to prevent accidental disconnection of the connecting rod 13 from the crank pin 12. A ledge 23 is conveniently provided on the base member 5 above the lugs 2222 and lying on a line between the lugs so that a maintenance man may mount the stand by first stepping upon either of the lugs 22 and thence upon the ledge from which he may readily reach any point on the mast and the targets, it being understood that the mast is generally about eight feet tall. The lugs 22 are cast integral with the base member as shown. and

Patented Ma 31, 1921.

therefore there are no crevices or cracks inwhich moisture can collect which causes an untimely rusting 0E of the lugs, as where the same are riveted or otherwise secured upon the base, to which cause many serious accidents have been laid; the connecting rod becoming disassembled from the crank.

Formed in the bottom of the base memher 5 is an opening 24 which, as most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is sufiiciently large to permit insertion of the mast 9 through the same, the crank 11 projecting rearwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Another opening 25 formed in the front wall of the base'5 extends the entire width of the same and at its upper edge lies flush with the bottom of the lugs 2222, as seen in Fig. 1. A table 26 is provided by a web extending across the bottom of the base 5 beneath the lugs 2222, adjacent the opening 24. In assembling the switch stand, the mast 9 is inserted into the base member until the crank 11 occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the mast is rotated crank 11 travels above the table 26. The mast is positively prevented from dropping out through the bottom of the base 5 because of the table 26. The bracket 1% is then assembled on the mast 9 and the end of the connecting rod slipped over the pin 12 That portion of the mast 9 extending from the bearing 7 to the lower end thereof is circular in cross-section and the portion above the bearing 7 is square in cross-section for a purpose which will presently appear. As seen mostclearly in Fig. 3, the bosses 16-16 project slightly into the housing 17 to provide shoulders 27-2-7. As seen in Fig. 1, the shoulders 27-27 extend 1nwardly toward the mast 9 to the point 27 to provide a ciannel for the enlarged end portion of the lever 18, whereby the lever 18 may be easily assembled in the bracket 14. The free end of the lever 18 projects into the housing 17 as aforesaid and the enlarged portion 28 provides shoulders 292 9 on its opposite sides. When the lever 18 1S in 1ts inope'ative position, the shoulders 2929 lie above and are spaced slightly from the shoulders 27-27, as seen in Fig. 3. The hole in the boss 30 of the bracket 14 is conformed to fit the square portion of the mast 9 passing therethrough.

Serious accidents on railroads have very often been caused by the switch stands which, despite regular and frequent inspection, become badly rusted at certain concealed points as to permit free movement of the switch points. One of the principal advantages of the switch stand of my inven tion is that it permits the inspector to observe at a glance whether the sand is in its usual operating condition and also in the even the inspector should, through careless ness or otherwise, fail to observe the condition of the stand, the stand will in a measure still continue to give service and will at least prevent opening of the switch points and thus prevent any serious accidents.

The pin. 19, experience has shown, sometimes rusts off or breaks. However, when this occurs the enlarged portion 28- of the operating lever 18 serves to prevent the lever from dropping off of the bracket 1d because of the shoulders 29--29 which, in such event, engage the shoulders 27-427. The lock 20 serves to prevent unauthorized or accidental operation of the switch, since the handle cannot be moved to its horizontal position. It will appear also that the switch stand is not rendered totally inoperative through such a mishap, because the lever 18 may still be turned to horizontal position and the switch operated when the lock 20 is removed.

Furthermore, in the event the rivet 1.5 breaks or in any other manner becomes useless, the mast 9 will drop slightly so that the crank 11 will engage the table 26. The

switch may still be operated because of the square conformation of the mast 9 cooperating with the square hole in the base 30- of the bracket 14:. The lugs 22- 2 being formed integral with the base plate and being conformed to shed moisture from their surfaces generally last long as the base member and serve to prevent accidental disconnection of the connecting rod 13 from the pin 12, and to prevent unauthorized move ment of the switch points. It will thus appear that although the various elements of the switch stand may become disconnected,

- the stand is not rendered inoperative.

While I have described the details of a preferred embodiment of my invention, T in no wise limit myself to the details of construction disclosed, but cover all equivalent embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

"What I claim is:

LA railway switch stand comprising a vertical hollow base member having openings formed in its bottom and front wall, lugs formed integral with said base member projecting laterally from said front wall over the opening therein, a mast inserted into said base member through the opening in the bottom thereof mounted in bearings in said base member and projecting vertically therefrom, a crank on said mast ex tending at right angles thereto and projecting through the opening in the front wall of said base member, a crank pin projecting vertically from said crank for receiving the end of a switch operating connecting rod, said pin occupying either of two operative positions beneath said lug a bracket secured to said mast and extendi at right angles thereto, said bracket being bifurcated at its free end and having bearing bosses, a housing on said bracket into which said bosses project, and an operating lever pivoted to said bracket between said bosses, said lever having an enlarged end projecting into said housing beyond said bosses.

2. A railway switch stand comprising a base member having openings formed therein, lugs projecting laterally from said base member, a mast inserted into said base mere her through an opening in the bottom thereof mounted in hearings in said base mernher and projecting vertically therefrom, a crank on said mast extending at right ar 'les thereto and projecting through an opening in the wall of said base member, a crank pin projecting from said crank for receiving the end of a switch operating con necting rod, said pin occupying either of two operative positions beneath said lugs, a bracket for said mast, said bracket being bifurcated at its free end and having bearbosses, a housing on said bracket into which said bosses project and an operating lever pivoted to said bracket between said bosses, said lever having an enlarged end projecting into saidhousing beyond said bosses. 1

3. A railway switch stand comprising a base member having openings formed therein, lugs on said base member, a mast inserted into said base member mounted in bearings therein and projecting vertically therefrom, a crank on said mast extending at right angles thereto and projectin through an opening in the wall of said base member, a crank pin on said crank for receiving the end of a switch operating connecting rod, said pin occupying positions beneath said lugs, a bracket for said mast, said bracket having bearing bosses formed thereon, a

housing on said bracket into which said bosses project and an operating lever pivoted to said bracket between said bosses, said lever having an enlarged end projecting into said housing beyond said bosses.

4. In a railway switch stand, the combination of a mast, a crank on said mast for operating a switch, a bracket on said mast, means for preventing relative rotation of said mast and said bracket, comprising a hole in said bracket, conformed to accommodate said mast, an operating lever for said mast pivotally secured to said bracket, means for preventing disassembling of said lever from said bracket comprising an enlargement on said lever and bosses on said bracket to engage said enlargement, a base member having an opening in the bottom thereof for receiving said mast, said mast upon insertion, being reversed from its operating positions, a table adjacent said opening, and said base member having an opening in the wall thereof over said table for receiving said crank, said table being disposed beneath said crank.

55. In a railway switch stand, the combination of a mast, a crank for operating a switch, a bracket on said mast, means for preventing relative rotation of said mast and said bracket, an operating lever for said mast pivotally secured to said bracket, means for preventing disassembling of said lever from said bracket comprising an enlargement on said lever and bosses on said bracket to engage said enlargement, a base member having an opening in the bottom thereof for receiving said mast, said mast, upon insertion, being reversed from its op erating positions, 'a table adjacent said opening, and said base member having an opening in the wall thereof over said table for receiving said crank, said table being disposed beneath said crank.

6. In a railway switch'stand, the combination of a mast, a crank for operating a switch, a bracket on said mast, an operating lever for said mast pivotally secured to said bracket, means for preventing disassembling of said lever from said bracket comprising an enlargement on said-lever and bosses on said bracket to engage said enlargement, a

base memberhaving an opening in the bot tom thereof for receiving said mast, said mast, upon insertion,being reversed from its operating positions, a table adjacent said opening, and said base member having an opening in the wall thereof over saidtable for receiving said crank, said table being disposed beneath said crank; 7. In a railway switch stand, the combination of a mast, a crank for operating a switch, a bracket on said mast, an operating lever for said mast secured to said bracket,

means for preventing disassembling of said lever from said bracket, a base member having an opening in the bottom thereof for receiving said mast, said mast, upon insertion, being reversed from its operating positions, a table adjacent said opening, and said base member having an opening in the wall there-- of over said table for receiving said crank, said table being'disposed beneath said crank.

8. In a railway switch stand comprising a base member, a mast, a crank on said mast and a crank pin on said crank for receiving the end of a switch operating connecting a base member, a switch operating mast mounted therein and extending therefrom, a bracket fixed against relative rotation on said mast and pinned thereto to prevent rel ative endwise movement, an operating lever for said mast pivoted to said bracket, said lever having shoulders formed on the end thereof, means in said bracket for engaging said shoulders to prevent disassembly of said lever and bracket, and a table in said base member to prevent said mast from dropping out of said base member.

10. In a railway switch stand comprising a base member, a switch operating mastj mounted therein and extending therefrom, a bracket on said mast, an operating lever for said mast pivoted to said bracket, said lever having shoulders formed on the end thereof,

means in said bracket for engaging said shoulders to prevent disassembly of said lever and bracket and a table in said base member to prevent said mast from dropping out of said base member.

11. In a railway switch stand comprising a base member, a switch operating mast mounted therein and extending therefrom, a bracket 011 said mast, an operating lever for said mast pivoted to said bracket, said lever having shoulders formed on the end thereof, and means in said bracket for engaging said shoulders to prevent disassembly of said lever and bracket.

12. In a switch stand comprising a base member, a signal mast mounted therein, a crank integral With said mast, a crank pin thereon, a switch operating connecting rod thereon, an operating lever connected to said mast, and a comparatively heavy lug cast integral With said base member slightly above the bottom thereof adapted to prevent disassembly of said connecting rod from said crank pin when the crank is in operative position.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day of May, 1920.

1 CHARLES W. BREED. Witnesses:

ANDREW l VINTERGORN, J. DAVID DICKINSON. 

